News & Articles Articles

PLCnext Control is at the leading edge of secure communication

EvelinBorissevich 25 April 2024 5 min. read
832 views 0 comments LoadingSave

Certified by DNV according to IEC 61850 Ed. 2.1. and IEC 62351-3 for secure communication in energy management systems

We are proud to announce that our PLCnext Control has received another significant certification. After our PLCnext Control was certified as the first controller on the market according to the IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 standard, we have reached another significant milestone:

PLCnext Control is now also certified by DNV according to the international standards IEC 61850 Ed. 2.1 and IEC 62351-3 for secure communication in energy management systems.

Following controllers are certified according to IEC 61850 Ed. 2.1. and IEC 62351-3:

PLCnext Technology is setting the standard for industrial cybersecurity

With this latest development, we are setting standards in the world of industrial security. The combination of IEC 61850 and IEC 62351-3, based on IEC 62443 certification, is more than just a technical advance – it is a promise for a secure future in the All Electric Society.

Phoenix Contact’s mission statement for the All Electric Society envisions a world in which renewable energy resources are available worldwide in sufficient quantities and at economically justifiable costs. The creation of intelligent, networked systems for the demand-oriented use of renewable energy is proving to be the linchpin for a sustainable future. The combination of Phoenix Contact’s expertise in communication, automation, network and connection technology and the corresponding certifications creates a forward-looking solution for energy management.

Certifications in the spotlight

IEC 61850 Ed. 2.1:

Is the most current international standard for communication in electrical power networks. It enables efficient and reliable data transmission, which is essential for modern energy distribution. This standard sets the course for a future-proof energy infrastructure that meets the requirements of a networked world. And this is where we come in: our two controllers are part of an exclusive group of only 24 certified devices worldwide. This means that we are at the forefront of technological development and make an important contribution to energy efficiency and security.

IEC 62351-3:

Describes the standard for cybersecurity in energy management systems. It guarantees the security of communication by ensuring that all transmitted data is protected against unauthorized access. At a time when digitalization is advancing and dependency on networked systems is increasing, such a security standard is of crucial importance.

Integrating these standards into our PLCnext Control means that we not only provide a robust platform for automation, but also one that ensures the security of data communication. Our control systems are not only powerful, but also protected against potential threats. Because as the world becomes more interconnected, security is at the heart of every technological advancement

Not only secure on paper, but also in practice

Our PLCnext Control plays a decisive role in the joint project between STE Energy and Phoenix Contact to meet the challenges of decentralized energy generation. In particular, the certifications in accordance with the IEC 61850, IEC 62351 and IEC 62443 standards are of great importance. It not only fulfills the hardware requirements in accordance with CEI 01-16, but also ensures secure communication and contactor protection of power plants against cyber attacks. The PLCnext Control is supplied as a ready-to-install control cabinet and is a central component of the solution from STE Energy and Phoenix Contact for monitoring and controlling decentralized power generation.

Our role in the STE Energy project in Italy shows how important these certifications are in practice. We have shown that our technology is not only safely developed, but has also proven itself in practice where it matters. If you want to learn more about this use case, click here.

With PLCnext Technology, you are ready for the future – a future that is secure, connected and efficient.

You want to read more about industrial cybersecurity?

If you want to find out more about TÜV-certified protection against cyber attacks in accordance with IEC 62443-4-1 ML3 and IEC 62443-4-2 SL2, read the following blog post: Next Level of Security: TüV certified PLCnext Technology Products for industrial cyber security – PLCnext Technology (plcnext-community.net)

In case you want to read more about industrial cyber security we welcome you to Phoenix Contacts’ main page about industrial security. Discover the full potenial of a 360-degree security contect and get inspired by the holistic product and service portfolio of Phoenix Contact: Industrial security | PHOENIX CONTACT

Evelin Borissevich
832 views 0 comments LoadingSave

Discussion

Please login/register to comment

Login/Register

Leave a Reply

Newsletter
Never miss a new article
Sign up for the newsletter
Never miss news about PLCnext Technology
Get interesting content via newsletter four times a year
Receive exclusive information before all other users